The DeWalt DWE7485 is an 8¼” portable jobsite table saw. It is a top choice for home shops and contractors. The compact size and lightweight design make it ideal for easy storage and transportation. We’ll be providing an in-depth review of this popular machine. For a larger depth capacity, the Makita 2705 and Bosch 4100-10 are really great 10” contractor table saws. These models will also be reviewed here.
Jobsite, or contractor table saws are compact enough to be portable and can be stored quite easily. Apart from the obvious advantage for onsite applications, these table saws are a big favorite in home or garage shops. We don’t usually have the space for a full-size cabinet table saw in a home shop.
Despite being portable, most jobsite table saws have the capacity to rip full boards. Some have built-in stands, or the option to purchase a stand separately. The DeWalt DWE7485 and Makita 2705 table saws are benchtop saws, with various options for stands sold separately. The Bosch 4100-10 includes a great portable stand.
I usually rate DeWalt power tools as the best choice. It goes without saying that, in this review of the best contractor table saws, the DeWalt DWE7485 ranks as my favorite. It is also a number one bestseller on Amazon. For those who prefer the flexibility of a cordless tables saw, the DeWalt DCS7485B will certainly be of great interest. This is a powerful 60V cordless jobsite table saw, using the renowned DeWalt FlexVolt battery system.
We all have different ideas of what qualifies as the perfect contractor table saw. I reckon, with these three options, most will find the product that suits their needs. DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch are all top power tool brands. You can be sure that you are buying the very best, regardless of which one you choose. When buying a table saw, there is no point in going too cheap. These machines need to be accurate, reliable, and durable.
DeWalt DWE7485: The Full review
- Features:
- Compact size for easy transportation and storage
- Rack & pinion telescoping fence rails make fence adjustments fast, smooth, and accurate.
- 5 in. of rip capacity for ripping 4×8 plywood or OSB sheets.
- Power-loss reset prevents accidental restarts following a power disruption when the tool is left in the on position.
- Blade brake
- On-board storage for guard, fence, wrenches, and miter gauge.
- Metal roll cage base for jobsite durability.
- Site-Pro Modular Guarding System allows for tool-free adjustments of the guarding.
Review:
Raymond DeWalt, founder of the DeWalt Products Company, invented the radial arm saw. It was his invention, dubbed the “Wonder Worker”, that established the brand as an innovator of new and exciting power tool technology. That was back in 1922. Although DeWalt’s early table saw was nothing like what we see today, it marked the beginning of these machines as an integral part of woodworking.
Keeping with this tradition of using technology to improve the way we work, the DeWalt DWE7485 is a wonder all of its own. I really love the portability of this saw. It weighs only 46-pounds and has the best handles for effortless carrying. It also has a super tough roll cage, ensuring that the DeWalt contractor table saw can handle the rough and tumbled environment for which it has been designed.
Like all other DeWalt table and miter saws, the rack and pinion fence rails are magnificent. They adjust smoothly and accurately. As you turn the dial, the fence glides effortlessly, while you keep an eye on the measurement indicator, directly in your line of sight. Easy as pie. The telescopic fence design provides an incredible rip capacity for such a compact table saw – 24½” to the right of the blade and 12” to the left. It handles 4 X 8 boards like a charm. A large metal handle is used to adjust the blade bevel angle and you lock it with a cam-lock lever at the handle. Large scale markings make it perfectly easy to set the blade with exacting precision.
Power delivery from the 15A electric motor is just as I’ve come to expect from DeWalt. This mighty little beast chews through hardwood like it’s on a Sunday stroll. With no load, the blade speed is 5,800 RPM. Because the blade diameter is only 8¼”, cutting depth is a little limited. Though not too bad at all. With the blade at 90°, you have a cutting depth of 2⁹⁄₁₆”. Set the bevel angle to the maximum 45°, and you’ll still have a pretty reasonable depth of 1¾”.
The DeWalt DWE7485 has one of the best tables of any portable jobsite table saw. The polished aluminum surface is as smooth as glass and machined to perfection. It has two slots for a miter gauge, which fits easily with absolutely no margin for error. A top quality miter gauge is included, as well as a push stick, anti-kickback pawls, non-through cut riving knife, and the fantastic DeWalt Site-Pro modular guard system, requiring no tools. You need wrenches to change the ⅝” arbor blade. These are also supplied with the saw.
Compact design is one of the big plus factors when comparing the DeWalt DWE7485 to similar jobsite table saws. It stands 13” tall, with a length of 22¾”. There are a great variety of stands available for this saw. The DeWalt DW7440RS rolling table saw stand is definitely the best of these options. It’s as solid as they come, with large wheels for moving the saw easily. Keeping the shop, or jobsite, dust-free is taken care of. You can connect a dust extraction system or shop vac to the 2½” dust extraction port.
I can clearly see why the DeWalt DWE7485 is such a big hit. It is not the most expensive, though not that cheap either. In my opinion, the high spec level and ruggedly tough build quality, are worth every penny. From many years of pleasant experiences, I rate DeWalt service as the best. At least in the top 3 brands for great customer service. Their 3-year warranty, with a 90-day money-back guarantee, and 1-year free service plan have set the brand in good standing.
DeWalt DCS7485B 60V MAX Cordless Table Saw
The 60V cordless model (DeWalt DCS7485B) matches up to the super powerful 15A corded DeWalt DWE7485 in every aspect.
The DCS7485B produces the same 5,800 RPM no-load blade speed and, thanks to the fantastic XR brushless motor, maintains even torque delivery, come what may. The table and telescopic fence offer the same ripping capacity for 4 X 8 boards.
Like the DeWalt DWE7485, this model also uses an 8¼” blade, giving you a depth capacity of just over 2½” with the blade at 90°, and 1¾” for 45° bevel cuts. It is just as compact, with the same dimensions, and weighs a pound less, at 45 LBS. Though the battery will add some extra weight.
Essentially, from a user perspective, the only difference between the DeWalt DWE7485 and DCS7485B is the power cord. The 60V cordless model costs more than the DWE7485. This is to be expected, battery-powered tools are always more expensive. There’s a price to pay for cordless convenience. On many jobsites, where 120V AC electrical supply is an issue, this is well worth it.
Makita 2705 10” Jobsite Table Saw
Features:
- Powerful 15 AMP motor delivers 4,800 RPM.
- Large cutting capacity (3-9/16″ at 90° and 2-1/2″ at 45°); can use up to a 13/16″ dado blade.
- Right extension table allows for greater cutting capacity with the capability to rip 4×8 sheets of plywood – up to 25″ ripping capacity.
- “Tool-less” modular blade guard system with an adjustable riving knife/spreader
- Blade guard assembly, including cam lock, for easy tool-free installation and removal.
- Two onboard independent stow-able anti-kickback pawls and riving knife/spreader for through cuts.
- Release lever for easy riving knife/spreader height adjustments. 3 different positions for through, non-through, and dado cuts
- An aluminum die-cast, precision machined table remains flat and true.
- Electric brake for maximum productivity
- Large on/off switch and easy to read scale.
- Complete onboard storage
- 3/8″ x 3/4″ T-slot miter gauge grooves accept commercial accessories with T-formed shanks for versatile cutting.
- Saw blade enclosed underneath the table to protect the blade during transport.
- Dead-on cam-locking rip fence and bevel locking handle for fast and easy adjustments.
- Two pole slide system for raising and lowering the blade.
Review:
I’ve found Makita power tools to be doggedly tough and reliable. When it comes to outstanding engineering and durability, I rate the Makita 2705 as highly as I do the DeWalt DWE7485. The Makita contractor table saw has a larger 10” blade, allowing you to cut thicker material. It has a 15A electric motor, with similar power to the DeWalt saw.
The DeWalt DWE7485 may be my favorite of the contractor table saws reviewed here, but I can’t, in all honesty, say that the Makita 2705 isn’t a worthy equal. It’s every bit as durable, and you have the increased capacity of a 10” blade. This gives you 3⅝” depth of cut at 90° and 2½” when performing 45° bevel cuts. An obvious advantage if you need to cut thicker boards. Though, you don’t have any extra power to contend with the increased depth capacity. This is also a 15A 120V jobsite table saw, with a blade speed of 4,800 RPM. Cutting hard maple, or similar wood, with a thickness of 3½” is going to be a challenge.
I prefer the rack and pinion fence adjustments, used for the DeWalt DWE7485. In fact, this is what generally attracts me to DeWalt table saws. That’s not to say that the Makita sliding fence, with an easy single touch cam-lock, is a problem. The fence moves easily. I just find the rack and pinion more user friendly, especially for detailed and precise settings.
The telescopic fence is just as great as the DeWalt saw. It provides half an inch greater ripping capacity, 25” max, compared to 24½” for the DeWalt DW7485. The aluminum table, with miter gauge grooves, is as awesome as the DeWalt saw. You have pretty much the same set-up for bevel adjustments. A large wheel, with oversized scale markings, and a cam-lock lever, is super easy to use and perfectly accurate.
The Makita 2705 has a tool-less modular blade guard, very similar to the DeWalt DW7485. The anti-kickback pawls and riving knife are also just as great and slot into position just as easily – no tools required. Two onboard storage compartments offer the greatest of convenience. Providing a complete storage solution for blades, wrenches, miter gauge, and all the other accessories you will be transporting with the Makita saw.
The Makita 2705 is slightly larger than the DeWalt DWE7485; 24⅝” (W) by 22¼” (L). It is also noticeably heavier, at 82-pounds. Being a larger machine, and almost twice as heavy, makes the Makita saw less practical than the DeWalt alternative when it comes to portability. However, the increased size and weight is not all bad news.
A heavier table saw is more stable and this can be a huge advantage when working with larger, heavy boards. The saw will be less likely to tip over when pushed to the limits. A heavier machine can be indicative of higher grade metal components. Though I can’t say for sure which is going to be the more durable saw in the long run. The Makita saw doesn’t have the awesome 4-point handle design, like the DeWalt DW7485. One would think this would be more important on a table saw that weighs so much more. It does have an optional stand available. The Makita 194093-8 portable table saw stand is incredible. It helps a lot to take care of all the portability hassles that come with this large, heavy machine. The stand has amazing wheels and great handles.
Comparing the Makita 2705 to the DeWalt DWE7485 isn’t a cut and dry case of which one may be the better jobsite table saw. Each has its advantages. I guess it would be up to the individual which are the pros and cons. I’m profoundly impressed with the incredibly tough nature of the Makita machine. It’s quite heavy, but this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage. Makita is a brand of note when it comes to world-class engineering, top features, and indestructible durability.
Bosch 4100-10 10″ Contractor Table Saw
Features:
- Powerful table saw – has 15-Amp saw with 4.0 max HP and 3,650 rpm.
- Large cast aluminum top.
- Soft-start circuitry.
- Constant Response circuitry – helps maintain speed under load.
- Restart protection – helps to avoid accidental startup.
- Portability – works seamlessly with the included lighter GTA47W Gravity-Rise Wheeled Stand for easy jobsite mobility, with single-action setup and takedown.
- SquareLock rip fence – engineered for enhanced clamping and trueness.
- Smart Guard System.
- Onboard storage – allows for access to all included components.
- Arbor lock – permits easy blade changes, with arbor lock and blade wrench located onboard.
Review:
The Bosch 4100-10 is a good deal more expensive than the DeWalt DWE7485. Before you write the Bosch contractor table saw off as being too expensive, you need to consider that this model includes one of the best portable table saw stands I have ever seen. It also has the increased depth capacity of a 10” blade. As a well-made, high-quality jobsite table saw, the Bosch 4100-10 can easily rate as highly as the DeWalt and Makita models reviewed here. It features prominently on the Amazon best-seller list. Not quite as popular as the DeWalt DWE7485, but a close contender.
I’ll start with the biggest advantage to the Bosch 4100-10, the fantastic GTA47W rolling stand. It has the famed gravity rise for easy, one-hand setup. This stand has been upgraded from the old 4100-09. It is slightly shorter, and this reduces the weight a little (2-pounds). This is still a heavy unit, though. The saw weighs 58-pounds. When you factor in the weight of the stand, it comes to a hefty 110-pounds. It is quite easy to move, despite this weight, thanks to the heavy-duty all-terrain wheels.
When comparing table size, some people are confused by the difference between the Bosch XC4100-10 and this model, the original 4100-10. The Bosch 4100-10 is a little cheaper than the upgraded XC4100-10. The difference? The new model has an increased rip capacity (30” to the right), whereas the model we’re reviewing has a 25” rip capacity to the right and a slightly restricting 8” to the left. Apart from a redesigned on/off switch, the Bosch 4100-10 and XC4100-10 are the same in every way.
I think that a portable table saw is only as good as the table. Cheap contractor table saws tend to warp or buckle over time. The Bosch 4100-10, like the DeWalt DWE7485 and Makita 2705, has a thick aluminum table that will remain true and perfectly flat. It has slots for a miter gauge to both the left and right of the blade. The miter gauge and push stick (both included with the saw) have really cool storage. They have designated panels to one side of the base, the accessories simply clip into position. This gives you quick access, and hassle-free storage, for these essential items.
The Bosch 4100-10 has a modular Smart Guard system that is just as user-friendly as both the DeWalt and Makita saws. The riving knife and anti-kickback pawls are also just as easy, with a tool-free slot into position setup. The sliding fence rails, with quick release cam-lock, are pretty much the same as the Makita jobsite table saw. Not, in my opinion, as great as the DeWalt rack and pinion fence. The bevel adjustment works in the same way as the other two, a large wheel with a cam-lock and oversized scale for improved accuracy. You can set the blade from -2° to 47°.
Like the other contractor table saws in this review, the Bosch 4100-10 is fitted with a highly competent 15A motor. With no load, the blade speed is 3,650 RPM. It also has the convenience of a dust extraction port.
I like the Bosch 4100-10 for its solid construction and awesome table. This is a common trend for the three contractor table saws featured here. Most of all, I’m hugely impressed with the Bosch gravity rise stand. It is the easiest to use and quickest to set up. The Bosch brand can rate proudly, alongside Makita and DeWalt, as one of the very best.
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